Kinshasa, DRC – July 14, 2026 – A recent survey conducted by ReliefWeb on May 28-29, 2026, among 91 parents and guardians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reveals deep concerns over the impact of the ongoing Ebola epidemic in the Ituri province.
The survey indicates that the majority of respondents (75. 8%) believe the situation of their household has deteriorated or severely deteriorated since the outbreak.
Economic strain is evident, with 67. 0% reporting lost income or economic activities, and 72. 5% noting increased household expenses.
Psychosocial well-being among children is also a major concern. All respondents reported at least one sign of distress in their children, with fear (86. 8%), stress (70.
3%), changes in behavior (23. 1%), and isolation (18. 7%) being the most frequent issues.
The survey also found that 67. 0% of parents believe their children are playing or socializing less than before.
Respondents perceive an increase in several risks to child protection, including domestic violence (64.
8%), family separation (40. 7%), child labor (35. 2%), early marriage (29.
7%), and sexual exploitation (28. 6%).
The study indicates a heightened fear for child safety since the Ebola outbreak, with 94. 5% of respondents expressing such concerns.
The survey highlights the urgent need for integrated responses to address the health, child protection, psychosocial support, and economic challenges faced by families.
Key needs include healthcare (81. 3%), child protection (80. 2%), psychosocial support (69.
2%), food support (67. 0%), and economic support (46. 2%).
This research underscores the critical need for targeted interventions to ensure child protection and the provision of essential healthcare services during the Ebola outbreak.
The international community is called upon to support the DRC government and local health authorities in combating the epidemic and mitigating its impact on vulnerable populations, particularly children and pregnant women.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: Child Protection Area of Responsibility
